My Spotmatic

A few months ago I bought a KM, which came in a Spotmatic ever-ready case and with a Super Takumar 35mm/3.5 attached. The label inside the case was from a dealer who, according to web research, ceased to exist before the KM was released. I therefore came to the conclusion that the previous owner had replaced their broken Spotmatic but kept the lens and case.

The KM now has a K 55mm/1.8 attached and wasn't a particularly good fit in the case anyway, so the case and lens have sat around waiting for a nice Spotmatic to go between them. A couple of days ago I found just the thing:

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I need to replace the mirror damper foam and I'm not 100% sure that the light meter is working properly with an LR41 battery (the camera came with an adapter for a modern battery), but once those are sorted it'll be getting a roll of film. The meter seems quite slow to react compared to my KM and also seems to be out by half a stop or so, which shouldn't be a problem given how tolerant HP5 is.

I also have a Super Multi Coated (written in full, rather than just SMC) Takumar 135mm/3.5 which I'm looking for an original rear cap and lens case for - does anyone know if all the Takumar 135mm/3.5s used the same case or did the lettering change? I realise it will fit the case for the Super Takumar version but I'd like to get the right one, same goes for the rear cap.

Hi Matt - lovely Spotty - if you let me know which rear cap it is and send me a stamp I`ll send you the item if I have it - I just got a job lot on Ebay and don`t need them all.

Tony

Hi Tony, thanks for the offer. It's the one shown in this auction link (I think). I'm led to believe that the later rear caps had a wider flange to cover an extra pin on the S-M-C and SMC Takumars but I'm not sure whether both used the same one. That said, I'd be amazed if they didn't - the new DA 35mm prime is delivered with a Pentax-F type lens cap which has to have been in production for longer than anything else in their current range!

I've got the basis of a rather spiffy vintage outfit here if I can get hold of a Super Takumar 55mm f1.8, cases for the 35mm and 135mm, lens hoods for the 35mm/55mm and maybe one of the cold shoe adapter things that clip on top of the prism housing (anyone know when the different variants of this came in? I'd like to get one of the same vintage as the camera).

I'm probably going to the Goodwood Festival of Speed next year and will be sorely tempted to take this loaded with HP5 as well as my DSLR, assuming film tests indicate reliable metering.

Typical - I got 3 caps but all on lenses - the spares are later ones ( about 12 ).I got Pentax lens hood boxed for 1.4/1.7 50mm , lens hood in case for 3.5 28mm , Takumar hood for f3.5 135mm or f4 150mm or f5.6 200mm.I got slide on and clip on flash mounts and a couple of cases for unknown Pentax lenses.

Anything useful ?
Sadly not freebees though.

Tony

Ah well, I've managed to get hold of the correct rear cap for the 35mm lens after some haggling (guess which seller...) so that'll do for the 135mm for now. Means I can get rid of the Hoya one anyway! Thanks for having a rummage, unfortunately none of that lot is what I'm after at the moment so I'll keep my eyes open on ebay.

I have read that the S-M-C lens cases had a red inner lining, but I still don't know whether the lettering on the top would also be different - I know the K series cases have "SMC Pentax" on them but I've no idea whether this was also found on the Takumar. I think a lot of rummaging on ebay.com (I usually just search the UK site) will be called for in order to find some complete S-M-C Tak 135mm lenses and work out what mine should have.

Interesting that your 135mm hood is marked as suiting two other lenses too - that must be the final type for the SMC Taks as mine (which came with the lens and appears original) is simply marked "Takumar 1:3.5 135mm" along with the Asahi Optical Co lettering and the 49mm thread.

I've just replaced the mirror foam by cutting a spare chunk of flightcase insert to shape and using double sided tape, looks fine and seems to work ok. Just need the weather to sort itself out so I can test it now!

Nice, a design classic but arguably not as nice as the 'F' IMO.

I was recently going to photograph an 'F' alongside my K20D questioning which was the better design in terms of the number of buttons and switches to get a similar end result - I still will.

There was a fair bit of interchangeability (is that a word?) in hoods and the case linings were indeed red. My 135 hood just denotes itself as such but the one with my 200 mentions a few other lenses including the 135. They are physically the same.

The best lens is the 28mm SMC Takumar f3.5 28mm with rectangular hood with its own separate case, amazingly sharp.

Odd indeed - I have two actually - one states three lenses and the other just 135 and 150.

My 300mm Tele-Tak has a green lining,my SMC Tak f4 300 has a red lining as does my 85~210..................I`ve also got a zip case with AOC on the top and a green lining for what might fit an 85mm or slightly bigger.

Always happy to rummage and try to help !

Tony

Got the hood Ken and the case - must have sold the lens along the way !

Tony

These pre-K mount things are addictive. I just bought the later type clip-on meter for an S1a/SV in good working condition for a tenner. Always fancied an SV and the meters seem less than common in working order, so a worthwhile diversion from my attempts to complete the items I already have. Must avoid buying any more of this kit until after I film test the Spotmatic now, as there's little sense in getting heavily into M42 lenses unless I have a reliable camera to fit them to!

I saw a black Spotmatic F in very nice order along with a preset-type Takumar 135mm (the one with two aperture rings) a couple of weeks ago, really annoyed I didn't have the money to buy it.

From what I can see the shorter lenses generally carried their hoods in a separate case (which has a loop on the back to fit onto the lens case shoulder strap) while the longer ones fit the hood into the lens case?

Certainly is the "case" - sorry - as you probably know all my M42 lenses are now dedicated to the *istD which has been converted as a permanent screw lens camera without all the hassle of changing every time the mood takes me.

Tony

I just can't get M42 lenses to work on my K-m. I have the genuine adapter but whatever I do it underexposes horribly, so they've been of limited interest. That should change providing the Spotmatic works.

one of the things I've just noticed is how elegant the typography is on the shutter speed dial.

Still one of the best designed cameras ever.

It feels utterly perfect in the hands too. I've been using it with the 135mm as a short spotting scope today to watch activity on the bird table in my front garden, just because it's so nice to handle.

I will be waving it at a couple of Sony owners I know on Monday, as they never had pre-AF cameras I think the reactions will be interesting.

I'm hoping I don't have to spend big money to get a standard lens for it - the 50mm f1.4 is going for silly money as it can be used on any DSLR with the right adapter.

Just noticed what the exposure counter was showing in those photos - no, there was no film in, I just tend to wind on and shoot with an empty camera when they arrive to check that it works properly!

Do what I do Matt - look out for a dodgy one they go for silly money too but silly cheap !

I got the black SP , the 1.4 lens,1 rangefinder in leather case ,2 lightmeters,a clip on cold shoe attachment,leather short nose case and original strap all for £32...................the lens has some fungus !! Yeah..........so what - doesn`t show on any photos taken so far and is complete with original front and back caps - need I say more ?

Tony

That's exactly what I plan to do - although I'd probably have unscrewed the front and cleaned it out by now. They aren't hard to work on, the only bit I ever have trouble with is persuading the finishing ring to unscrew as they seem to have been tightened by the Asahi factory Sumo team!